Thursday, November 4, 2010

Farewell Letter. Carta de Despedida.

If for an instant God were to forget that I am rag doll and gifted me with a piece of life, possibly I wouldn't say all that I think, but rather I would think of all that I say.

I would value things, not for their worth but for what they mean.

I would sleep less, dream more, understanding that for each minute we close our eyes we lose sixty seconds of light. I would walk when others hold back. I would wake when others sleep. I would listen when others talk, and how I would enjoy a good chocolate ice cream!

If God were to give me a bit more life, I would dress simply, throw myself on the earth to face the sun, baring not only my body but also my soul. My God, if I had a heart, I would write my hate on ice, and wait for the sunrise. Over the stars I would paint with a Van Gogh dream a Benedetti poem, and a Serrat song would be the serenade I'd offer to the moon. With my tears I would water roses, to feel the pain of their thorns, and the red kiss of their petals.

My God, if I had a bit more life, I wouldn't let a single day pass without telling the people I love that I love them. I would convince each woman and each man that they are my favorites, and I would live in love with love. I would show men how very wrong they are to think that they cease to be in love when they grow old, not knowing that they grow old when they cease to love! To a child I would give wings, but I would let him learn to fly on his own. I would teach old men that death does not come with old age, but with forgetting. So much have I learned from you, oh men...

I have learned that everyone wants to live on the peak of the mountain, without knowing that real happiness is in how it is climbed. I have learned that when a newborn child squeezes for the first time with his tiny fist his father's finger, he has him trapped forever. I have learned that a man has the right to look down on another only when he is helping him to get to back on his feet. From you I have learned so many things, but in truth they won't be of much use, for when if keep them within this suitcase, unhappily I will be dying.

Always say what you feel, and do what you think. If I knew today was the last time I would see you sleep, I would hug you tightly and I would ask God to let me be the guardian of your soul. If I knew this would be the last time I would see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug, a kiss, and I would call you back to give you more. If I knew this would be the last time I would hear your voice, I would record your words to listen to them over and over forever. If I knew these were the last minutes together I would tell you "I love you" and I would not assume, foolishly, that you already know it.

There is always a tomorrow and life gives us the opportunity to do the right thing, but I am mistaken and today is all we have, I would like to tell you that I love you, I will never forget you.Tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone, young or old. Today could be the last time you see those you love. So, don't wait any longer, do it today, if tomorrow never comes, you will certainly regret that you did not share a smile, a hug, a kiss, and you were too busy to spend time with them. Keep those you love close to you, whisper to them in their ear how much you need them, love them, and treat them right. Take time to tell them "I am sorry," forgive me," "please," "thank you," and all those words of love that you know.

Nobody will remember your secret thoughts. Ask God to give you the strength and wisdom to express them. Show your friends how much you care about them.